Surfers’ Circle Walk of Fame for South Coast hero Ant Brodowicz
Margate's very own surfing icon saluted for his contribution to the country’s surfing lifestyle.
THE South Coast’s very own surfing legend, Ant Brodowicz (60) was recently honoured at the official opening of Surfers’ Circle Walk of Fame in Muizenberg in the Cape.
Ant, who was 1978’s ISA World Champion, attended the auspicious occasion, at which South Africa’s first national monument dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage of surfing was unveiled.
It was officially opened with the plaques honouring the first 30 inductees into the Surfers’ Circle Walk of Fame.
Ant owns the ‘destination store’ Surf Action, which opened its door in Margate 30 years ago. It’s no secret that this ‘core’ surf store is the reason why many holidaymakers visit Margate.
When the Herald phoned the shop to chat to Ant about being recognised in ‘The Surfers’ Circle’ the store’s manager, Jeremy Laas told the journalist that Ant was ‘in a board meeting’.
When Ant returned the call, the journalist asked him if he had had a good surf? His reply: “There is no such thing as a bad surf.” A fitting response from a surfing legend.
Ant has been surfing since the age of nine (and a half). “A total of 51 years of being ‘stoked out of my brain’,” he added.
In 2003, he became involved in the administration of surfing, with the emphasis on the coaching aspect of surfing.
In 2005, he took over the helm of Southern Natal Surfriders’ Association and was the chairman until he had to resign his post because he was appointed to the Surfing South Africa board of directors.
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He served there for a period of four years eventually ending up as the vice-president.
During this time he coached the South African Masters team to victory at the International Surfing Association World Masters surfing championship in Puerto Rico.
“This was repeated the next year in Peru making the masters one of the most successful teams ever to leave our shores,” he said.
“It’s been quite a trip; surfing has taken me all over the world.”
It’s not surprising that Ant has recently been saluted for his fantastic surfing achievements.
“I never expected to be inducted into the circle. It was truly an honour more than anything… It was bigger than winning the world title. I am indebted to God who guided my life down the path of surfing.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be recognised by your peers and the rest of the country for your contribution to the sport (lifestyle). It’s an incredible thing and one day our grandchildren and great grandchildren can go see it,” he said.
A very special aspect of the event was seeing old mates such as George Thompson, a multiple SA champion and Springbok team captain in the 1960s and early ’70s, who flew in from England for the occasion.
“I last saw George 40 years ago. Surfers stick together and I can’t tell you the flow of emotion, as this is my family or, as they say in Hawaii ‘Ohana’.”
Nowadays, Ant’s number one priority in his life is 14-month-old grandson, Charlie.
“God blessed me with a grandson. He is the apple of my eye and I can’t wait to go surfing with him. He will be the world’s future champion in 2037.”
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